Acquisition TIP #2: Upholding and Maintaining Public Confidence
Many local agencies have adopted their own set of processes for smaller projects that works in many ways. Although this practice benefits the project budget and schedule, it doesn’t necessarily protect property owners’ lawful right for uniform and equitable treatment while maintaining confidence in managing public funds.
A May 2021 Pew Research Center Study on Public Trust in Government: 1958-2021 found that America’s trust in government began to wane in the 1960s and remains low today. Approximately one-quarter of Americans say they can trust the government “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (22%). Since 2007, these figures have not surpassed 30%.
Keeping Utah on the Right Track.
Considering the sensitivity surrounding the compulsory sale of private property rights is significant in fostering trust within the community and creating a positive outlook and roadmap to project completion. The solution is hiring quality personnel with the proper knowledge of Right of Way Acquisition standards as it pertains to the consistency in applying state and federal code and, in addition, understanding the fundamental mediating factors required to manage and create trust. A single property owner’s dissatisfaction regarding the project can negatively influence the surrounding owners’ perception of fair and equitable treatment. It reverberates itself into added costs and delays in meditation and settlement efforts, resulting in significant delays and feeding into public distrust.
Ensure your agency contracts with a firm with a strong reputation of high ethical standards of conduct, honesty, integrity, and quality of work. Bestowing respect is vital in maintaining good public relations, and a qualified real estate professional with compassion and expertise in eminent domain law will ensure relationship growth and endurance with the community and each property owner.
-authored by,
Tammy Evans, MRP, SR/WA
Acquisition Manager
Meridian Engineering